Dehumidifier



W. F. BREEN DEHUMIDIFIER July 29, 1 941.

3 Sheets-Sheet l Filed NOV. 23, 1938 FIG.

INVENTUR.

.m n n m am F. A R L wwf W. F. BREEN July 29, 1941.

DEHUMIDIFIER Filed Nov. 25, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 A.C. OR D.C.

FIG.

July 29, 1941. W F BREEN I 2,250,623

DEHUMIDIFIER Filed Nov. 25, 1938 5 sheetsheet 3 FIG. 5 FIG- 6 INVENPOR.WA LTER BREEN Patented July 29, 1941 nEirUMmIFI-ER Walter FranklinBreen, Lancaster, Pa., assigner to` Hamilton Watch Company, Lancaster,Pa.

Amina/tion November .23, 193s, serial No. 241,951

9= Claims.

The object of this invention is to provide com.- pressed air which isfree from moisture vapor.

Another object of this invention is to provide a neat, convenient, andcompact device fordehumidifying air, which device can be easily andconveniently placed on or close to the work bench.

A further object of this invention is to provide an inexpensive devicetory dehumidifying air, which device can. be made substantially entirelyfrom conventional. pipe fittings.

Other and further objects will bey clearly apparent from the followingspecifications and from the drawings.

The use of compressed air for various purposes is old. However, as farasis known, compressed air has never been used for the purpose of.-cleaning articles. of production. Also to dehumidify the air beforeusing it to clean articles of production is likewise new. This; i-sespecially ad-` vantageous in the manufacture of certain devices andinstruments Where moisture, rust, and corrosion are a major factortobecontendedv with. Specically, this invention is especially adapted to beused in the Watch industry Where theabove named factors must be givenprime consideration,

although it is. in no sense limited to the instrument eld. However,` forpurposes of illustration.

only I will describe the use of my device in the timekeeping field.

As Watch movements, instruments, and, other To clean these parts, theformer practice has f been to use a small brush or broom. These brushescleaned the parts to a certain extent, but quite often the dust and dirtwere merely pushed from one locationv to another and lodged; in othercrevices. Then too the bristles ineven, the best brushes come out intime. Inspection of the dif.- ferent operations on, exceedingly smallparts under these conditions with any degree of accuracy was impossible.

The use of ordinary compressed air` to clean watch movementswhilevpassing through the various stages of manufacture,v would also notsatisfy the ne requirements of the watch industry because of thedeposition of minute particles of moisture upon the watch. parts. Theseminute particles of Water subsequently start the action of corrosionwhich is fatal to the operation of a. timepiece.

One of the inventive concepts in this invention is that of heating theair as it passes through. the

pipe, therebyallowingr the air to absorb all the existing moisture init, and also subsequently enabling it` to. absorbv anyl minute particlesof Water vapor which had. already condensed on the watch parts. This isof increasing importance by reason of many plants and factories beingair condi.. tioned in only certain departments. Hence, whensub-assemblies are taken from one department to another there is; likelyto be an appreciable amount of condensate on the article.

The invention`Y may-be clearly understood by referring to-.the drawings.However, it should be clearly understood that I do not intend that myinvention should beA limited by the drawings or any description, butonly to be limited by the broadest possible scope thereof.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is one modification of my dehumidier showing in detail all theoperative elements.

Fig. 2 is a. sectional. view ct a modied form of my device; usingconventional pipe ttings forthe major portion of. the construction.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the cap shown in Fig. 2.

Fi`g.,4. is asectional view of an additional modification.

Fig. 5 isa. View of Fig. 4.r taken on the line 5 5.

Fig. 6-is a plan view of still a different modified form of myinvention.

Fig. '7 is a view of the device illustrated in Fig. 6 showing theinternal construction thereof.

Fig. 8 is aview of Fig.` Gtaken on the line 8 8.

Inlig. 1 is seen a metal casing I, which houses the heater element 3.This metal casing is entirely enclosed by asbestos or other heatinsulating material. Theinsulating material is used for the purpose ofprotecting the Users hands against being burned if the heating assemblyis placed. on the Work table, or to protect the operators body iii thedevice isl placed below the work table. If desired,y the metal containeritself may be made cf heat insulating material, thereby obviating thenecessity for the use of the outer insulating casing.

Electric leads. 4 are'` connected to the heating coil and are supplied`either. with. alternating current or direct current. If desired, theleads may be equipped withv an adjustable rheostat, to vary thetemperature of the air passing through the heating chamber.

For convenience, 5 generically indicates the en tire valve assembly andvoperating mechanism therefor including the foot treadle.

Element (L indicates: a conical; shaped valve which is-torcedfin-to thecircular'hole4 of the outlet pipe by means of a spring l.,

Element 8 indicates the rear shank of the Valve 6. This rear shank has agroove cut in it around which the bifurcated lug ID of the handle 9 isp0- sitioned. The handle 9 is pivoted to extension IEa, of the pipe I6,by means of pin II. Element I2 indicates a iiexible wire or chainconnecting the foot treadle I3 with handle 9, while I4 indicates anextension on treadle I 3 which is pivotally connected to a mounting onthe iioor. If the operator so desires the elements I2, I3 and I4 may beeliminated, and the handle 9 operated by hand.

Valve housing I1 is connected to pipe I5 by means of pipe I6 at one end,and to pipe 20 by means of nut i9 and insulation or packing I8 at theother end. Element 2I indicates the pipe 20 which is within the heatingchamber I and whose outlet leads to cap 22. Over this cap the articlesto be operated cn are passed in order to be properly cleaned by a strongblast of heated air without the disadvantages of having moisturedeposited on the parts. In some instances it may be found desirable tcplace a sump or a simple complete circular bend in the pipe I to preventany excess moisture from entering the valve housing,

Fig. 2 shows a modified form of a dehumidifier in which 5 represents theentire valve assembly including the valve and operating treadle, etc.,therefor. Elements I5 and 20 include inlet and outlet pipes similar tothose shovm in Fig. 1, pipe being connected to reducing socket 28 byreducing bushing 23a. The heating element 23 in this modification isinserted within a conventional pipe or nipple 2S, which is threaded atboth ends. On the inner end of this nipple is threaded a cap 21 whichcloses the cavity at that end, while the outer end is threaded into areducing socket 2S. Into the last mentioned end of the reducing couplingis screwed a bushing or wire clamp 25 which houses the insulatingmaterial, 24, through which the electrical leads 4 pass, This bushinghas two upstanding lugs through which is passed a screw element whichsecurely holds the insulating material in position. The reducing socketis in turn fastened on the nipple 29. Elbow 33, reducing bushing 3I,nipple 32 and apertured cap 34 are threaded together and attached tonipple 2S.

In order that the pipe 32 may dissipate heat more rapidlycireumferentially extended fins 33 are cut into its outer circumference,although this feature may be dispensed with. I have found by experimentthat nipple 33 will not become nearly as hot if a reducing bushing, suchas 3|, is used instead of threading elbow and nipple 33 directlytogether. Apparently much of the heat from nipple 21 and elbow 30 isdissipated by the large head of the reducing bushing instead of passingto the nipple 33. A bushing of insulating material might also be used ifdesired.

As shown in Fig. 3, apertures 35 extend toward a common center in orderthat the stream of air may be strongest at this point. The object 0fhaving only one aperture at one side is in order that the dirt may beblown away from the operator.

Fig. 4 shows another modification of the dehumidifying devices in which36 represents the casing which houses the core element 39 which hasradially extending fins 45. This core 39 and ns are heated by means of acoil 23, positioned in its central portion. Arms 31 support the core bymeans of screws 38. The lower end of the central portion of the core isclosed by means of metal stopper 4G. The leads to the heating elementpass through insulation 4I, the outer end of which passes through aVentilating aperture 43. These Ventilating apertures are postioned inthe upper end of the skirt like portion or protecting cover 42. Screws44 hold protecting cover 42 tightly against the upper end of the casing36. This protecting cover could also be formed of a series of spacedlongitudinal bars.

Arms 31 can be secured by screws, rivets or any other appropriate meansto the top of casing 36. Likewise, if desired, the side of casing 35 maybe screw-threaded to the top thereof.

In this modification, the valve assembly 5 is positioned above thedehumidifying unit and is positioned adjacent to the nipple 22.

In the modification shown in Figs. 6, 7 and 8, 46 indicates theattaching nut while 48 indicates the passageways which have been drilledout of the solid block of metal 41. In this modification the ends of twoof the passageways have been closed by means of metal Stoppers 50. Thelegs of this dehumidifier 50 are removable. The screw 52 holds theheating eelment which is enclosed in an insulating case 53 within thedehumidifier.

The operation of this device is clearly apparent from an inspection ofthe drawings. rl`he operator holds the piece which is to be cleaned overthe cap 22, and presses the treadle I3 which by means of handle 9 inturn opens the valve Ii and allows the desired quantity of air to passthrough the heating chamber. As the air passes through the coiled tubein the heating chamber, it is raised to the desired temperature and nomoisture is deposited on the object which it is desired to clean.Further, any moisture already present will be absorbed by the heatedair.

The method of installing these devices is also very simple, for example,a hole is bored in the work bench and the upper end of pipe 20 shown inFigs. 1 and 4 and pipe 32 in Fig. 2 is passed therethrough. The nipple22 and cap 34 are then applied and screwed down iiush with the workbench. The small heating and dehydrating apparatus set forth in Fig. 8is adapted to be placed directly on the work bench.

Features seen in one modification may be readily adapted to othermodifications. For example, the valve assembly illustrated in Figs, land 2 could be positioned between cap 22 or 34 respectively and theconnecting pipe. Also nipple 26 in Fig. 2 could be formed with finsthereon similar to fins 45, and protective cover 42 shown in Fig. 4could be fastened to the upper end of nipple 32 to act as additionalprotection.

It is thus seen that I have invented a simple and entirely practicaldevice for accomplishing the objects of my invention and in which theheating element is entirely enclosed and there is no danger of aparticle of heating element being blown by the air into the object to becleaned, certain parts of which may have been previously cleaned byiniiammable substances.

What I claim is:

1. A dehumidifier fabricated almost entirely from conventional pipefittings and comprising a heating chamber, an air inlet pipe to saidchamber, a heating coil in said chamber, a pipe nipple for housing saidheating coil and for preventing direct contact between the heating coiland thc air to be heated, and an outlet nipple having circumferentiallyextending heat radiating fins thereon.

2. A dehumidifier fabricated almost entirely from conventional pipeiitting and comprising a heating chamber, an air inlet pipe to saidchamber, a heating coil in said chamber, a pipe nipple for housing saidheating coil and for preventing direct contact between the heating coiland the air to be heated, a bushing, an insulated plug in said bushinghaving apertures therein, leads for said heater passing through saidapertures in said insulating plug, an outlet nipple havingcircumierentially extending heat radiating nns thereon, and an outletcap, said outlet cap having the apertures therein so positioned that theseparate streams of air meet at a common point.

3. A device for drying air in the Watch and clock industry comprising aconventional pipe, an air inlet port to said heating chamber, a reducingsocket threaded to said pipe, a smaller pipe positioned in said heatingchamber, a cap on said smaller pipe, and a heating coil positionedwithin said smaller pipe.

4. A dehumidiiier comprising conventional pipe structure in which asmall nipple forming a closed compartment is positioned within a largernipple, a heating coil in said closed compartment, an inlet and anoutlet to said heating chamber, and heat radiating ns circumferentiallypositioned around said outlet.

5. A dehumidier comprising conventional pipe structure in which a smallnipple forming a closed compartment is positioned Within a largernipple, a heating coil in said closed compartment, an inlet and anoutlet to said heating chamber, heat radiating fins surrounding saidoutlet, and

a cap over said outlet, said cap having apertures therein so constructedand arranged that the fluid passing therethrough meets at a commoncenter.

6. A device for drying air comprising a pipe forming a heating chamber,an air inlet port to said heating chamber, a socket fastened to saidpipe, a smaller pipe positioned in said heating chamber having a cap onone end, and a heating 'coil positioned Within said smaller pipe.

7. A dehumidier comprising pipe structure in which a small nippleforming a closed compartment is positioned Within a larger nipple, aheating coil in said closed compartment, and an inlet to and an outletfrom the inside of said larger nipple.

8. A dirt remover fabricated almost entirely from pipe tting andcomprising a heating chamber, an air inlet pipe to said chamber, aheating coil in said chamber, a pipe for housing said heating coil, abushing, an insulated plug in said bushing having apertures therein, andan outlet from said heating chamber.

9. A device for removing dirt from articles of manufacture comprising aconventional pipe forming a heating chamber, a fluid inlet port to saidheating chamber, a reducing socket secured to said pipe, a smaller pipepositioned in said heating chamber, a capon said smaller pipe, and 4aheating coil positioned Within said smaller pipe.

WALTER FRANKLIN BREEN.

